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David Levine -> RE: Wild 2021/2022 Season (3/21/2022 11:56:56 AM)
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A lot of good stuff at The Athletic.
Russo thinks Fleury is an upgrade and does a deep dive into the 3 goalies and the difference between MN and CHI's defenses:
https://theathletic.com/3196559/2022/03/19/wild-looking-at-trade-for-blackhawks-marc-andre-fleury-per-sources-but-will-cam-talbots-surge-change-their-minds/
Minnesota Wild trade tracker: More details on the Marc-André Fleury deal — Wild were on his ‘very, very short list’
Fleury had a 2.95 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage this season in Chicago but was as athletic and competitive as ever. Per colleagues Mark Lazerus and Scott Powers, his numbers were thanks largely to the dicey defense he played behind — particularly during a brutal first month of the season, which was bad enough to get Jeremy Colliton fired as head coach. If not for Fleury, the Blackhawks would be even worse off than they are. His performance last Tuesday in an overtime loss to Boston was a perfect example. The Bruins dominated every facet of the game, but Fleury made 46 saves — several of them spectacular — to get the game to overtime and steal a point. He can still do that. He’s the reigning Vezina winner, after all. And behind a better team, he could be a difference-maker in the playoffs.
That’s what the Wild envision, hoping for a playoff upgrade from the three-time champion. Their goalies have been up and down and would be hard to rely on going into a playoff series. Kahkonen has a 2.87 GAA and .910 save percentage, and Cam Talbot 2.92 and .907. Talbot has won five straight starts but has also given up four or more goals in six of his past nine starts. For more on the Wild’s goalie struggles and how Fleury could fit, read our story previewing the deal.
Fleury controlled his own fate at the deadline. His no-movement clause included only 10 teams, but after it took him a few days to accept whether to play in Chicago at all last summer, former general manager Stan Bowman gave Fleury an unofficial assurance that he wouldn’t trade him without clearing it with him first. New GM Kyle Davidson honored that pledge, which naturally limited Chicago’s options.
“If I move, I would love to have a chance to win,” Fleury said on Feb. 16. “That’s what I play for and what I love. But it’s still a big if at this point.”
Sources say Fleury was asked about the Wild two to three days ago and agreed to waive if a deal could be worked out because he believes the Wild are a contender. Fleury had a “very, very short list,” the source said.
Fleury is in the last year of his contract but has said he’d like to continue playing next season.
https://theathletic.com/3170122/2022/03/21/minnesota-wild-trade-tracker-more-details-on-the-marc-andre-fleury-deal-wild-were-on-his-very-very-short-list/
NHL trade grades: Wild find an upgrade in goal with Marc-Andre Fleury trade
Sean Gentille:
Wild: A
Blackhawks: A
Dom Luszczyszyn:
Wild: A-
Blackhawks: B+
Corey Pronman:
Wild: A-
Blackhawks: B
https://theathletic.com/3200001/2022/03/21/nhl-trade-grades-wild-find-an-upgrade-in-goal-with-marc-andre-fleury-trade/
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